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Disneyland Castle, or Sleeping Beauty Castle as it is more officially known, can be found at the entrance of Disneyland Park's Fantasyland area and is the most iconic symbol of the Disney empire. The oldest of the Disney castles, it opened back in 1955 and was inspired by the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. The materials that were used in the construction process include fiberglass, cement, and plaster, and thanks to renovations over the years, it looks as spectacular as ever. This is especially true at night, when it is illuminated in grand style.

Disneyland Castle Image: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland

The Sleeping Beauty Castle Disneyland essentially serves as the entrance point for the Fantasyland area of Disneyland Park. Visitors who are approaching it from the front will be coming from the Main Street USA area. A draw bridge that crosses a moat is used to travel between the two areas. If you want to do more than just walk through the Disneyland Castle, however, you can join a walk-through tour. This tour is based on the original tour, which was first introduced in 1957. The features have all been enhanced, and the tour is better than ever.

The original Disney walk-through tour was closed in 2001, and it wasn't until 2008 that the new version was made available. During this tour, you can view 3D scenes from the Sleeping Beauty film and entrench yourself in the world of Princess Aurora. Since the main exhibits are on the upper floor, guests who wish to enjoy them will have to negotiate a series of stairs. For those with mobility issues, there is a ground-floor room that offers a virtual recreation of the walk-through tour.

All of the Disney theme parks boast their own attractive castles, and you might be interested to know that the castle at Hong Kong Disneyland is a replica of the Disneyland Castle. Unfortunately, for those who might be hoping that there is a Disneyland Castle suite for rent, this is not the case. There is such a suite at the Disney World Castle, however, so you might keep that in mind if you have your heart set on spending the night in a Disney castle.

Disneyland does have a suite located in the park, though—the Disneyland Dream Suite. This elegant apartment can be found above the entrance for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland Park, and you might just be lucky enough to stay in it. Walt Disney himself was the one who desired that such a suite be built, and he employed the set designer for Gone with the Wind to contribute to the overall design. It isn't possible to rent the Disneyland Dream Suite directly. Instead, it is reserved for special guest, specifically those who win the right to stay there as a prize via one of the resort's advertising campaigns.